When looking for our Ancestors in other countries, we may have to rely on old newspapers or church records,etc. The following is some common Polish translations that may be helpful when searching birth marriage, or death records.

Names of months:

(Dates are written day-month-year e.g. 21 marca 1885 r.)

        stycznia            January
        lutego                February
        marca                March
        kwietnia            April
        maja                  May
        czerwca            June
        lipca                  July
       sierpnia              August

       września            September
       października     October
       listopada           November
       grudnia              December


Names of days:
niedziela                       Sunday  w ubiegłą niedzielę 
 on last Sunday 		 w niedzielę 
                on Sunday 
poniedziałek        Monday  w poniedziałek 
on Monday 
 wtorek              Tuesday   we wtorek      on Tuesday
środa  Wednesday  w środę   on Wednesday 
czwartek  Thursday  w czwartek   on Thursday 
 piątek         Friday  w piątek  on Friday
sobota   Saturday  w sobotę    on Saturday 

Time Information:

 b. (bieżący)    current
 b. r.    this year
 b. m.  this month
 d. (dzień)  day
 d. 5 sierpnia   on August 5th
 dnia (dzień)   day
 dziś   today
 godz. (godzina)   hour, o'clock
 o 10 ej godz.   at 10:00
 jutro  tomorrow
 lat (lata)  years
 miesiąc (miesiące)   month(s)
 północ    midnight
 południe  midday, noon
 popołudnie   afternoon, p.m.
 przedpołudnie     morning, a.m.
 przedwczoraj   the day before yesterday
 rano  early, morning
 rok    year
 tego roku  this year
 tygodnia (tydzień) week
 wieczór       evening
 ubiegły   last, past
 z. r. (zeszłego roku)    last year

 Age Phrases:


  w młodym wieku                           young, late teens, early 20's

  w podeszłym wieku                     elderly, old age, anytime past 0.

  w średnim wieku                         middle age

  w starszym wieku                         late 50's into the 60's

 Causes of Death:

  nagle pożegnał                             suddenly departed

  nagłą śmiercią                              died suddenly

  po ciężkiej chorobie                    after a ponderous (serious) illness

  po długiej chorobie                      after along illness

  po długiej i ciężkiej chorobie          after along and ponderous illness

  po krótkiej chorobie                        after a short illness

  po krótkiej lecz ciężkiej chorobie           after a short but serious illness

  po nagłej chorobie                            after a sudden illness

  przez nieszcześliwy wypadek       accidental death

 Fraternal Groups:

  M.P., Macierz Polska           Polish Alma Mater


  Z.N.P.                                    Polish National Alliance

  Z.P.A.                                 Polish Womans' Alliance of America

  Z.P.R.K.                              Polish Roman Catholic Union of America

Miscellaneous Abbreviations, Words, and Phrases:

             i                              and


 mieszkaniec                                lived in

 odbył się                                     occurred, took place

 podziękowanie                         a notice of greatful appreciation

 pogrzeb                                      burial, funeral

 pogrzeb w automobilach         funeral by automobile

 rezolucja żałobna                     resolution, organizational notice of member's death

ś. p., świętej pamięci                 in holy rememberance of

 sprostowanie                             notice of correction

 tj. (tak jest)                                that is, i.e.

 umarł                                         he died

 umarła                                       she died

 w                                                 in, on

 z domu                                       from home, maiden name, nee

 z pierwszego męża                  name by first marriage

 zawiadomienie                         announcement

 zamieszkiwał w                       resided at

 zamieszkiwała p. nr.               residing at

ReligiousTitles:

  Biskup                                     Bishop


  Brat                                         Brother

  C.R.                                         Resurrectionist Father 
  C.S.                                         Holy Cross Father 

  Ks., Ksiądz                             Priest, Father

  Matka Prowincjonałka                    Mother Provincial

  Prałat                                         Monsignor

  Proboszcz                                        Pastor

  Przewielebny                                  Right reverend

  Przew.                                              Right reverend

  S.                                                        Sister

  Siostra                                             Sister

  Zakon                                               Novitiate

  Zgromadzenie                                  Congregation

  Siostry Felicjanki                           Sisters of St. Felix (Felician Sisters)

  Siostry Franciszkanki               Sisters of St. Francis

  Siostry B. Kunegundy             Now the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago

  Siostry Nazaretanki                 Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth

  Siostry Notre Damki                 Sisters of Notre Dame

  Siostry Zmartwychwstanki      Sisters of the Resurrection (C.R.)

Church and Cemetery Names:

  Matki Boskiej Częstochowskiej                            St. Mary of Czestochowa


  Matki Boskiej Nieustającej Pomocy                     St. Mary of Perpetual Help

  Najsłodszego Serca Pana Jezusa                         Sacred Heart of Jesus

  Najśw. Maryi Panny Anielskiej                               St. Mary of the Angels

  Najśw. Maryi Panny Nieustającej Pomocy           St. Mary of Perpetual Help

  Najświętszego Niepokalanego Serca Maryi         Immaculate Heart of Mary

  ss. Cyryla i Metodego                                              SS. Cyril and Methodius

  ss. Pięciu Braci Polaków i Męczenników             Five Holy Martyrs

  ss. Piotra i Pawła                                                     SS. Peter and Paul

  św. Alojzego                                                             St. Aloysius

  św. Anny                                                                   St. Ann

  św. Barbary                                                              St. Barbara

  św. Bartłomieja                                                        St. Bartholomew

  św. Bazylego                                                            St. Basil

  św. Bonifacego                                                        St. Boniface

  św. Brunona                                                             St. Bruno

  św. Fidelisa                                                              St. Fidelis

  św. Genowefy                                                          St. Genevieve

  św. Heleny                                                                St. Helen

  św. Jacka                                                                 St. Hyacinth

  św. Jadwigi                                                              St. Hedwig

  św. Jakuba                                                               St. James

  św. Jana Berchmana                                              St. John Berchman

  św. Jana Kantego                                                   St. John Cantius

  św. Józefa                                                                St. Joseph

  św. Józefata                                                            St. Josephat

  św. Kazimierza                                                        St. Casimir

  św. Konstancji                                                        St. Constance

  św. Marka                                                                St. Mark

  św. Młodzianków                                                     Holy Innocents

  św. Paschalisa                                                       St. Pascal

  św. Pawła                                                                St. Paul

  św. Pankracego                                                     St. Pancratius

  św. Stanisława B. i M.                                           St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr

  św. Stanisława Kostki                                          St. Stanislaus Kostka

  św. Szczepana                                                       St. Stephen

  św. Tekli                                                                 St. Thecla

  św. Trójcy                                                               Holy Trinity

  św. Wacława                                                         St. Wenceslaus

  św. Walentego                                                      St. Valentine

  św. Wiatora                                                           St. Viator

  św. Władysława                                                   St. Ladislaus

  św. Wojciecha                                                      St. Adalbert

  Wszystkich Świętych                                          All Saints

  Zmartwychwstania Pańskiego                         Resurrection

Family Relationships:
 babcia  grandmother
babcie  grandmothers 
bracia  brothers 
braciszek  young brother (a child)
brat  brother 
bratanek  nephew (brother's son)
bratanica  niece(brother's daughter)
bratanki  nephews
bratankowie  nephews
bratowa  sister-in-law (brother's wife)
bratowe  sisters-in-law
chrzestn matka godmother
chrzestni  godparents
chrzestny ojciec  godfather
córeczka  young daughter (a child)
córka  daughter
córki  daughters
ciocia  aunt
ciocie  aunts 
dziadek  grandfather
dziadkowie  grandfathers
dzieci  children
familia  family (sometimes used in place of rodzina)
kuzyn  cousin 
kuzyni  cousins
kuzynka  female cousin
kuzynki  female cousins
kuzynowie  cousins
macocha  step-mother
matka  mother 
mąż  husband
narzeczona  fiancee, bethrothed 
ojciec  father 
 ojczym  stepfather
 pasierb  stepson 
 pasierbica  stepdaughter 
pasierbice  stepdaughters 
pasierbowie  stepsons, stepchildren
pół brat  half-brother
pół siostra  half-sister 
prababcia  great-grandmother 
pradziadek  great-grandfather 
prawnuczęta  great-grandchildren 
prawnuk  great-grandchild
przybrana córka  adopted daughter 
przybrany syn  adopted son
przyjaciele   friends
rodzice  parents
rodzina  family 
siostra  sister
siostry  sisters
siostrzeńcy   nephews and nieces (sister's children) 
siostrzenica  niece (sister's daughter) 
siostrzenice  nieces (sister's daughters')
siostrzeniec  nephews (sister's sons)
siostrzyczka  young sister (a child) 
siostrzyczki  young sisters (children)
stryj  uncle (father's side) 
stryjenka  aunt (on father's side)
stryjenki  aunts (on father's side)
stryjostwo  uncles and aunts (on father's side)
stryjowie  uncles (on father's side) 
syn     son 
synek   young son 
synowa  daughter-in-law (son's wife) 
synowe  daughters-in-law 
synowie  sons 
szwagier  brother-in-law
szwagierka  sister-in-law 
szwagierki  sisters-in-law 
szwagrowie  brothers-in-law 
teść  father-in-law 
teściowa  mother-in-law 
teściowie  parents-in-law 
wnuczęta  grandchildren 
wnuczka  granddaughter
wnuczki granddaughters 
wnuk  grandson 
wnuki  grandsons
wraz z całą 
rodziną  familią		 together with all family members
wuj  uncle (on mother's side) 
wujek    uncle (on mother's side) 
 wujenka  aunt (on mother's side) 
wujowie  uncles (on mother's side) 
wychowanek  ward, foster child (male)
wychowanka   ward, foster child (female) 
zięć  son-in-law 
 zięciowie  sons-in-law 
żona  wife 

Polish First Names:

  Adela                                                 Adele, Adela
  Agnieszka                                         Agnes
  Agata                                                 Agatha, Agnes
  Albrycht                                            Albert
  Alojzy                                  Aloysius, also commonly translated erroneously as Albert
 Ambroży                                             Ambrose
  Anastazy                                           Anastasius
  Andrzej                                              Andrew
  Aniela                                                Angela, Angeline
  Antoni                                               Anthony
  Antonina                                           Antonia, Antoinette
  Apolonia                                 frequently translated incorrectly as Pauline, Pearl, Pola
  Artur                                                 Arthur
  Bartłomiej                                        Bartholomew
  Bazyli                                               Basil
  Beatrycze                                        Beatrice
  Bolesław                                          commonly translated erroneously as William.
  Bonifacy                                           Boniface
  Bronisław                   Bronislaus, at times rendered erroneously as Bruno & Bernard
  Bronisława                             often rendered incorrectly as Bernice, Blanche, others
  Brygida                                              Bridget
  Brunon                                               Bruno
  Cecylia                                               Cecilia, Celia, Cela
  Czesław                                              Chester
  Dionizy (Dyonizy)                          Dennis, sometimes erroneously rendered as David
  Dorota                                                 Dorothy
  Dytryk                                                 Dietrich
  Elżbieta                                               Elizabeth
  Eryk                                                     Eric
  Eugeniusz                                           Eugene
  Feliks                                        Felix, erroneously translated as Philip
  Feliksa                                                Felicia
  Ferdynand                                Ferdinand, often translated incorrectly as Fred
  Filip                                                     Philip
  Filomena                                  Philomena, often translated incorrectly as Phyllis
  Franciszek                                        Francis
  Franciszka                                        Frances
  Fryderyk                                           Frederick
  Fryderyka                                         Frederica
  Genowefa                           Genevieve, at times rendered incorrectly as Jennifer
  Grzegorz                             Gregory, at times rendered incorrectly as George
  Hieronim                          Jerome, at times erroneously stated as Harry
  Henryka                                           Henrietta
  Ignacy                                              Ignatius, Ignace
  Irena                                                 Irene
  Izabella                                             Isabelle, Isabella
  Jacek                                                Hyacinth
  Jadwiga                  Hedwig, sometimes incorrectly rendered as Harriet and Hattie
  Jakub                                               Jacob, James
  Jakubina                                         Jacqueline
  Jan                                                   John
  Janina                                             Jane, Jenny
  Jerzy                                               George
  Joanna                                             Joan
  Judyta                                            Judith
  Karol                                              Charles
  Katarzyna                                     Catherine, Kathryn
  Kazimierz                                       Casimir
  Klemens                                        Clement
  Konstancja                                     Constance
  Krystian                                         Christian
  Krzysztof                                        Christopher
  Ksawery                                          Xavier
  Leon                                                Leo
  Leokadja                   no exact equivalent: Lorraine, Lillian, Leona, and Lola are used
  Łucja                         Lucy, Lucille
  Lucjan                      Lucius, Lucian
  Ludwik                       Louis
  Ludwika                   Louise
  Łukasz                     Luke
  Lukrecja                  Lucretia
  Maciej                      Matthias
  Małgorzata               Margaret
  Marceli                     Marcellus
  Marcin                      Martin
  Marcjanna         Marcia, an affectionate variation of the name Marjanna
  Marek                                     Mark
  Maria, Marya, Marja               Mary, Maryanna
  Marjanna                           Mary Anne, Marianne
  Mateusz                             Matthew
  Matylda                              Mathilda
  Maurycy                             Maurice
  Michał                               Michael
  Michalina                         Michelle, Minnie, etc.
  Mieczysław                      Mitchell, Ned, Matthew, Mike, etc.
  Mieczysława                  no real equivalent in English
  Mikolaj                             Nicholas
  Natalia                            Natalie
  Odon                               Otto
  Onufry                              commonly translated as Humphrey
  Pankracy                        Pancretius
  Patrycja                           Patricia
  Patrycjusz                       Patrick
  Paweł                               Paul
  Pelagia                           no real equivalent: Pearl and Paulina are often used
  Piotr                                Peter
  Prakseda                        Praxeda, Paulina, etc.
  Rafał                                Raphael
  Rozalja, Rozalia             Rose, Rosa, Rosalie
  Ryszard                           Richard
  Stanisław                       no real equivalent: Stanley is often used
  Stanisława                     no real equivalent: Stella and Sarah are often used
  Stefan                             Stephen, Steven
  Szarlota                          Charlotte
  Szczepan                       Stephen or Steven
  Szymon                           Simon
  Tadeusz                        Thaddeus, Ted
  Teofil                             Theophalus (at times Phil or Ted are used)
  Teodor                         Theodore
  Teodozja                    Theodora
  Tomasz                     Thomas
  Tymoteusz                 Timothy
  Wacław                     Wenceslaus
  Walenty                     Valentine, though the more popular Walter is erroneously used
  Wawrzyniec              Lawrence
  Wilhelm                    William
  Wincenty                  Vincent
  Wałdysław              Walter
  Władysława      no real equivalent: Charlotte, Lottie and Lorraine, is often used
  Włodzimierz                 Vladimir
  Wojciech                      Adalbert
  Zenon                              Zane
  Zofia                               Sophia
  Zuzanna                   Susan, Suzanne
  Zygmunt                  Sigismund


 


Back to HOMEPAGE

Back to POLAND Page